New Fare Collection System Launches in Edmonton Region

Arc, an electronic fare payment system, was launched by the seven participating transit agencies serving over 1.3 million residents in Alberta’s capital region. It is now available in the Edmonton Region, according to the company's news release.

Arc is deployed and operated by Vix Technology (Vix) and enables passengers to travel across the region’s bus and light rail networks using their Arc card, adding money to their account, checking their balance, and paying using credit or debit cards.

Passengers can also reload their cards on vending machines at transit centers and at certain retail outlets.

Furthermore, passengers will also benefit from fare capping across the regional transit services in Edmonton, St. Albert, Strathcona County, Beaumont, and Spruce Grove, now, along with the cities of Leduc and Fort Saskatchewan, early next year.

The solution is built on Vix’s industry-leading fare collection platform, Vix Pulse, an open architecture platform that allows for scalability and integration, supporting multi-modal, multi-operator fare collection, harmonizing account-based ticketing, and contactless payments.

“The Arc system is a huge leap forward for transit passengers within the region, allowing them to benefit from fare capping across multiple regional agencies, with a system that’s both user friendly and seamless in its experience," said Carrie Hotton-MacDonald, Edmonton transit service branch manager. "The system will also enable us to benefit from real-time transit data, helping us to continue to improve transit services.”

Standard adult fares are currently available in the Edmonton metropolitan region. As part of a phased launch, Arc will expand to include seniors, students, and those who use paratransit services in 2023.

“Our long-term partnership demonstrates Vix’s deep commitment to improving public transit useability in the province," said Gary Googins, GM Americas for Vix Technology. "The Arc system will help fuel economic growth and is a good example of what can be achieved when multiple public agencies share a common vision and invest in a shared platform. The design allows for additional transit operators throughout Canada to join the scheme in the future, enabling them access to a more powerful system that would usually be cost prohibitive.”